Blog

A New Kind of Social Calendar

Are you looking for a new way to put together a social calendar? Imagine this. Every day residents get up in the morning, have their breakfast and then look to see what’s happening that day on their social calendars. Instead of seeing the usual, bingo, bus trips, games or strawberry socials, they see an abundance of opportunities to volunteer.

I have a dream that goes something like this. At 10:00 there’s a group gathering to knit socks and blankets for the nearby shelter as winter is coming on. At 11:00 am there’s a meeting being held to brainstorm ways raise money for a much needed new palliative care wing at the town’s hospital. Residents have come up with an idea called a “Wheel-a-thon”. Kind of like a “Walk-a-thon” but using wheelchairs.

Then after lunch yet another opportunity to contribute. This time it’s a group of residents and volunteers who meet every week to review the list of those that are socially isolated in their community. They pair up to make weekly visits to develop relationships and drawn those isolated into the community.

Just before dinner there’s an ‘Artists for Life’ group with residents living with more advanced dementia who love to paint. They sell these painting to raise money for the local Alzheimer’s Society. Every day on this new calendar are an abundance of opportunities like this to serve others.

A Volunteer Prescription

But it doesn’t stop there. Those residents who are looking for something to do are given a prescription by their recreation staff to help others. Literally given a prescription on a piece of paper.

The prescription reads something like this:

“Resident name: _______________. Rx: Volunteer and help someone in your community. Another resident, a staff member, anyone. If you don’t know anyone who needs help, comfort or support, come back and see me. Dosage: Daily. Repeat: 12 months

What our clients say

“It’s unlike any other program we have – a chance to get to know them better. It makes me happier.”
Vanja Lentz, Staff Facilitator

Vanja Lentz, Staff Facilitator

“The results were phenomenal. Both residents and staff witnessed immediate, positive behavioral changes and an increased sense of community among the participants.”
Dr. Michael Barber, Chief Medical Officer, National Church Residences, Ohio

“To join in this group is to forget my worries. It eases your problems. This is different, something special. It takes the loneliness away.”
Resident, Ontario

Resident, Ontario

“The program….it has gone over very well with our clientele. The music is fantastic and a lot of discussion has been created. This is a great investment for our facility! ”
Amanda Allen, Recreation Therapist, Adult Day Centre, Covenant Health, Alberta